People's Daily Online -- 60th anniversary of Anti-Fascist War

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Editor's Note

The anti-Fascist war between the 1930s and 1940s was the first just war of a global scale in human history. It ended in the Axis' unconditional surrender in 1945, 60 years ago. Over 2 billion people in Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania (exceeding four-fifths of the world population at that time) were involved in the war... >>>

WWII Basic Facts

Two major fronts:
The countries that participated in the anti-fascist alliance were as follows: there were 50 participating countries including China, the Soviet Union, the US, Britain and France while the nations that joined the fascist group included 7 countries such as Germany, Italy and Japan.

Main battlefields:
(1) The Asian-Pacific Battlefield
(2) The European Battlefield
(3) The African Battlefield

China:
China was the main battlefield against Japanese aggression. According to incomplete statistics, the Chinese casualties reached 35 million people under the butcher knife of the Japanese aggressive army. Calculated in accordance with the price ratio of 1937, the Japanese aggressors inflicted China direct economic losses valued at 100 billion US dollars with indirect economic losses estimated at 500 billion US dollars. The Chinese people suffered enormous national sacrifices and made important historical contribution to the victory of the Anti-Fascist war of the world.

The Soviet Union:
The Soviet Union was the main battlefield against the German fascists. The total losses of the Soviet Union accounted for 41 per cent of the total losses suffered by World War II participators. According to the statistics released by Russia, 8.67 million soldiers of the Soviet Union's Red Army died in action when defending their country during the period from 1941 to 1945 with the material losses reaching 679 billion roubles calculated according to the price of 1941.

The US and Britain:
The US and Britain were the key members of the anti-fascist alliance of the world. They paid great cost for the victory of the Anti-Fascist War. According to the data of the world's military history, more than 400,000 people of the US died in World War II while 270,000 British soldiers died in action during the war.

The Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) of the former Soviet Union against Fascist Germany and its allies was an important part of the World War II... >>>

60th anniversary of Anti-Fascist War

60th Anti-Japanese War Annivesary

60th WWII Anniversary

Commentary and Opinion

Chinese President Hu Jintao delivered a speech at a grand gathering held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, on September 3, 2005. (Xinhua photo)

UPDATED 11:02, September 12, 2005

China will never compromise in opposition to secessionist activities: President Hu

Chinese President Hu Jintao said Saturday in Beijing that China will never waver in its commitment to the one-China principle and never compromise in its opposition to secessionist activities.

China refreshes war memories for peace, future: President

Chinese President Hu Jintao said in Beijing Saturday that by holding the grand gathering to remember the war victory 60 years ago, China means to cherish peace and create a better future for the mankind.

People's Daily editorial marks victory of Anti-Japanese War

China's leading newspaper, People's Daily, publishes an editorial on Saturday to mark the 60th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-fascism War.

Commentary and Opinion